News & Media

PJIAE Emergency Plan Exercise “re-enactment” at SXM Airport

The crash site (SXM photo)

SIMPSON BAY, St. Maarten (Friday, December 12, 2014)— The Princess Juliana
International Airport, SXM, conducted a successful “Live Emergency Exercise” on
Friday, December 12, 2014, in accordance with the requirements of the International
Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO. This emergency exercise was preceded by a tabletop
exercise, as is customary, which was conducted the preceding day.

First Rescue and Fire Fighting truck on the scene of the fire (SXM photo)

The purpose of the exercise was to assess the level of preparedness and
coordination between SXM Airport and the island’s emergency agencies in response to a
simulated aircraft accident. The exercise tested the ability of SXM departments and the
St. Maarten Emergency Support Function groups, as well as assisting emergency
response agencies, to respond to and effectively manage an aircraft incident.

This live emergency exercise is essential in maintaining SXM’s aerodrome
certification and is usually conducted every other year. Volunteers from the American
University of the Caribbean medical school and high schools on the island including
Academy PSVE and Milton Peters College participated in the drill as wounded
passengers of a fictitious carrier that went down between airport Taxiways A and B. All
government emergency groups were deployed for this exercise including the Ambulance
Dept., Fire Dept., Police, etc.

Team of firefighters in action (SXM photo)

According to Michel Hyman, SXM Operations Manager who functioned as the
Coordinator of the Emergency Management Center, “the exercise was a great training
opportunity for firefighters, emergency medical services, law enforcement, and others to
train under very realistic conditions. This helps prepare us all in the event of a crash.”
“I was very much pleased with the coordination, decision-making and support
SXM Management personnel displayed in the Emergency Management Center (EMC).
Overall the level of cooperation and coordination between all agencies went well and
proved that all agencies possess a high level of knowledge in dealing with such
catastrophes,” Hyman added.

Anastacio Baker, SXM Manager, Quality Assurance Dept., who was lead
evaluator for the emergency exercise, said there was a noticeable improvement in the
coordination between SXM and the St. Maarten emergency support function groups when
comparing this to previous emergency exercises.

Both SXM Airport and St. Maarten fire departments working together. (SXM photo)

“This drill was much more successful than the previous drills,” Baker said. “This
was due to the close working relationship between the airport fire and the local fire
departments.” The newly formed internal Emergency Preparedness Committee, which
was established early this year also played a huge role.

“This committee,” Baker explained, “meets every month and discusses
emergency scenarios. For the past three months the emergency committee, SMCAA, the
local fire department, Police and government medical departments met on numerous
occasions to discuss this drill and the role everyone must play. The success of the drill
showed that working together really helped.”

Doctor attending to patients on scene. (SXM photo)

“SXM Airport wishes to thank all those who played a role in executing this
successful emergency exercise,” said Regina LaBega, SXM Managing Director.